Allen Duane Wills

allen wills

May 11, 1931 ~ November 19, 2023

Born in: Pelham, Georgia
Resided in: Gainesville, Virginia

Allen Duane Wills, formerly of Vienna, Virginia died peacefully on November 19, 2023 at his residence in Gainesville, Virginia. Duane is survived by Rachel, his loving wife of 66 years and 8 months, his two daughters, Cathy and Rebecca and their husbands Matthew and Mike, grandchildren Ian, Maggie, Devlin, Patrick and Aidyn and great granddaughter Siobhan.

Duane was born on May 11, 1931 in Pelham, Georgia and was the youngest of five children having two brothers and two sisters. He shared many stories about picking cantaloupes in the Georgia sun. He learned that eating warm cantaloupe is not recommended. He went from picking cantaloupes to serving ice cream at the White Pig. He relished eating the magically broken cartons of butter pecan ice cream. That remained his favorite flavor although chocolate was a close second and third choice.

Duane stashed chocolate all over the house. You could find little bags of chocolate in the corners of the kitchen cabinets, down in the basement, and in the drawer of the table next to his recliner. His favorite birthday celebration included chocolate cake and butter pecan ice cream.

In 1948, Duane graduated fifth in a class of 149 from Albany High School, Albany, Georgia. He enlisted in the Navy in 1949 and subsequently impressed his superior officer as Naval Academy material and was offered an opportunity to be tested. He qualified to enter the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corp. (NROTC) in 1951. He graduated from Georgia Tech in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Management and then proudly served on active duty for eight years. He remained in the Naval Reserves for 24 additional years, attaining the rank of Captain. He was the Executive Officer of the Pentagon Navy Command Center when he retired.

While attending Georgia Tech, he was very impressed by IBM, and went to work for them in 1959. He received numerous accolades, awards and certificates for his accomplishments. He won 65 suggestion awards for his innovative thinking and rose to the executive level of IBM Global Services. He enjoyed traveling the world on behalf of IBM and was able to bring Rachel on some of his trips in Europe before he retired in 2001.

He prided himself on his gardening, growing beautiful roses for Rachel to enjoy. He spent hours in the yard grooming it to perfection. Weeds were not allowed in Duane’s gardens. Any honey-do list became a honey-done list.

In 1986, Duane joined the Northern Virginia Council of Navy League of the U.S. He became a life member in 1991. Duane was elected Elder of Vienna Presbyterian Church in 2004 while updating and enlarging the church website, creating a more comprehensive tool for applicants and members. He thoroughly enjoyed being a web master and resource for the church. He was also a member of the Fairfax Resolves Chapter, National Society of Sons of the American Revolution.

Duane accepted and embraced God’s will in both life and death. Fair winds and following seas, Captain. Be at peace.

Broadcast Date:

Money & King Broadcast

Services

Service: November 25, 2023 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA 22180

703-938-7440

Graveside Service:

Arlington National Cemetery at a later date
1 Memorial Drive
Arlington , VA 22211

703-938-7440

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Guestbook

  1. Duane and Rachel were such stalwarts in the Northern Virginia Navy League Council. Even his disability did not slow him in attendance or duties. A lifetime member Duane always with Rachel by his side welcomed awarded Sailors, Marines, and Sentinels of the Quarter with appreciation and respect earned by men and women wearing the Nation’s Cloth as had he.
    No more gracious couple were Duane and Rachel.


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